Turkey, U.S. Fail to Agree on Troops

SUZAN FRASER

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Associated Press Writer

Turkey and the United States failed again Wednesday to agree on the size of an economic aid package that would open the way for Turkey's parliament to approve the deployment of tens of thousands of U.S. combat soldiers.

Turkey has delayed a vote on the troops, saying a multibillion-dollar aid package must first be approved that would compensate Ankara for any losses during a war with Iraq.

Ships carrying equipment for a U.S. infantry division are already at sea and Washington is pressing for a quick answer. The United States wants to base tens of thousands of soldiers in Turkey to open a northern front against Iraq should there be war.

"The framework that we are looking for in an agreement has not materialized yet," Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. He said, however, that negotiations were ongoing and that the situation could change.

"Sometimes not a day but an hour, five minutes could lead to new developments," Sener said.

Prime Minister Abdullah Gul later held more consultations with ministers and foreign ministry officials on a U.S. proposal.

Earlier, U.S. ambassador Robert Pearson said time was running out for Turkey to make a decision.

"Time is a matter of critical importance, time is a critical issue for us," Pearson told reporters after meeting with Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal.

"We can reach a resolution because Turkey and U.S. were always able to do so," Pearson said. "We want to reach an agreement as soon as possible."

Turkey is demanding $10 billion in grants and up to $20 billion in long-term loans, diplomats said.

Private NTV television said Wednesday the United States offered Turkey $7 billion in grants and military debt write-off. There was no immediate information on additional offers.

An earlier package called for $4 billion to $15 billion in grants, debt forgiveness and loans, depending on the impact of a war.

Parliament was expected to vote Tuesday on allowing in the troops, but Turkish officials said a vote was out of the question until a financial agreement was reached.

Turkey's population is overwhelmingly opposed to a war and Turkey's new government has been hesitant to back the United States.

But not backing the United States could alienate Turkey's closest ally and leave the country with no say in the future of neighboring Iraq.

On Wednesday, a large U.S. vessel unloaded military Humvees, heavy work machinery and other military vehicles at Turkey's Mediterranean port of Iskenderun, NTV television said. Parliament earlier this month agreed to allow the United States to renovate bases and ports, including Iskenderun, for use during a possible military offensive against Iraq.